BWI calls for a social approach to forestry certification at the PEFC General Assembly

11 April 2016 14:13

On Thursday forest certification organisations from all over the world
came together in Geneva for the General Assembly of the PEFC (Programme
for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).

The rapid global deforestation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas
emissions that cause global warming. The unsustainable practices also
threatens forestry workers, indigenous populations and other forest
dependent communities.

"What are you willing to do to fight for not only sustainable forests
but for sustainable development?" said Ambet Yuson, General Secretary of
the BWI when speaking for the Assembly. He emphasized that the PEFC
needs to put larger focus on the rights and working conditions of the 15
million workers worldwide who depend on the forest for their survival.

Rightly managed, forestry production can help curb global while at the
same time creating more sustainable and decent jobs for workers. The BWI
recognise that programs such as PEFC and FSC has a key role to play
both to make forestry companies take responsibility.

"Poverty and inequality stand first in line as prime drivers of
deforestation and forest degradation. This is true in rural areas of
OECD countries as it is in the poorest high forest cover countries in
the world. The actions and consequences of how forest dependent
populations and forests suffer may differ but the drivers are universal.
Your next round of standards must recognize this and put in place
frameworks to help change this," said Ambet Yuson.

The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is an
international, non-profit, non-governmental organization which promotes
sustainable forest management through independent third party
certification. The BWI has been a partner of the PEFC since the
organization was first founded in 1999.

"We are ready to expand our partnership if you are, the choice is yours," he concluded. ​